KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (2024)

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by Stephanie on May 26, 2020 (Updated February 2, 2023)11*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

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If you love the famous KFC Coleslaw recipe,you’ll love knowing how to make it at home with some simple ingredients and an easy hack for extra crispy slaw!This is a great BBQ Side dish idea to feed a crowd.

Be sure to pair this with a batch of Cheddar Bay Biscuits!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe

Guys, I did a lot of testing and research to bring you this recipe, and trust me. This is the best copycat that you’ll find for KFC’s famous coleslaw recipe.

The ingredient list is important, so try to stick to it.

What is KFC Coleslaw Made Of?

Ingredient quantities and full written instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • Green Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Tarragon
  • Miracle Whip
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Sugar
  • Celery Salt

PRO TIP: Using Miracle Whip is one of the secrets to KFC’s Coleslaw recipe. It’s sweeter, spicier, and contains less oil content than mayonnaise.

KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (2)

How to Make it

1. Salt and Drain the Cabbage:Optional, will yield crispier results.

  • Add 1 Tablespoon of salt per head of shredded cabbage.
  • Let it sit in a colander for 1-2 hours. The salt will draw out a lot of the water in the cabbage.
  • Squeeze out the excess moisture with paper towels or a cheese cloth.

2. Prepare the Dressing

  • Combine the oil, sugar, and celery salt. Stir in the vinegar and tarragon. Fold in the Miracle Whip.
  • Add the carrots and the cabbage, toss well.

3. Serve immediately or marinate.

  • Ideally, you’ll allow the coleslaw to marinate for 12-24 hours, especially if you salted the cabbage first. This will taste most like KFC’s version.
  • Otherwise, serve immediately.

PRO TIP! This nifty cabbage shredder makes the shredding process easier and helps to ensure that your slices are all thin and evenly sliced!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (3)

Will Coleslaw Get Soggy?

In a word? Yes. But you can prevent it.

Green cabbage contains 93% water which can separate when coleslaw is stored for longer periods of time.

To prevent this, it’s recommended that you salt and drain your cabbage prior to making this recipe.

How Long Will Coleslaw Last in the Fridge

Coleslaw should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and is best if used within 3-5 days.

Chilled Coleslaw should be kept at room temperature for no more than 2 hours.

KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (4)

What to Serve with Coleslaw

Homemade Sloppy Joes
Texas Roadhouse Steak Rub
Island Chicken Marinade

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KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat

5 from 3 ratings

Servings: 10

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This easy KFC Coleslaw recipe tastes just like the original! It's made with Miracle Whip and without buttermilk, just like the classic version!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 6 ½ Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • 6 Teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 2 ½ cups Miracle Whip
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 heads green cabbage, finely shredded

Instructions

Salting and Draining Your Cabbage (Optional)

  • If time allows, salt and drain the shredded cabbage prior to assembling to ensure your coleslaw is super crisp. To do this, add 1 To do this, add one tablespoon of salt per head of shredded cabbage and let it sit in a colander for 1-2 hours.

  • After sitting, the cabbage will appear wilted, but will crisp back up once you squeeze out the excess moisture, which can be done with paper towels or a cheese cloth.

Assembling the Coleslaw

  • Combine the oil, sugar, and celery salt until uniform in consistency.

  • Stir in the vinegar and tarragon until well-combined.

  • Fold in the Miracle Whip.

  • Add the carrots and cabbage and toss well to fully combine.

  • Refrigerate for at least 12 hours prior to serving, although 24 hours is ideal.

Notes

2 diced whole carrots is equal to about 2 cups .

This nifty cabbage shredder makes the shredding process easier and helps to ensure that your slices are all thin and evenly sliced!

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 660mg, Potassium: 385mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 43g, Vitamin A: 2270IU, Vitamin C: 67.3mg, Calcium: 83mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Stephanie

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posted by Stephanie on May 26, 2020 — 11 Comments »

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Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

11 comments on “KFC Coleslaw Recipe – BEST Copycat”

  1. Bubbles March 27, 2023 @ 3:17 pm Reply

    Turned out great! I had to sub Mayo for miracle whip and basil for terragon but it got my husband the ultimate coleslaw critic to remark “And THAT’S how coleslaw should taste!”😋 Served on southern night with some bbq shrimp, the cozy cook’s mashed potatoes of course, and chedder jalapeno biscuits, it helped pull everything together!♥️

    • Stephanie March 27, 2023 @ 8:18 pm Reply

      Wow that’s so amazing your husband said that! People can take their coleslaw verrrrry seriously! Sounds like a yummy meal overall, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and review💗

  2. GrammyPammy February 2, 2023 @ 2:41 pm Reply

    Haven’t tried the recipe yet, but look forward to it. I love KFC coleslaw! Just want to mention a little spelling issue in your recipe for coleslaw. Marinade is a noun. Marinate is a verb. If you are soaking cabbage in dressing, it is marinate. The dressing then becomes the marinade. I very much enjoy your site and your recipes. You are wonderfully detail-oriented and that’s so helpful for cooking instructions. Your photos are beautiful and I love your writing style. Thanks for your blog.

    • Stephanie February 2, 2023 @ 2:46 pm Reply

      I have *always* had a problem with that specific word!!! I can’t tell you how many times I have caught myself making that mistake, thank you so much, I will fix it now! I’m so happy that you are enjoying the recipes! Thank you for your support!!

  3. Debbie B October 8, 2022 @ 1:28 pm Reply

    Can I use the bagged, already shredded, cabbage & carrots

    • Stephanie October 8, 2022 @ 3:06 pm Reply

      Yes you can 🙂

  4. Gail August 20, 2021 @ 7:38 am Reply

    Love the recipe however I chopped the cabbage insteaded of shredding because KFS’S coleslaw is chopped –

    • Stephanie August 20, 2021 @ 9:11 am Reply

      Happy to hear you enjoyed it Gail!😍 Thanks for taking the time to comment!

  5. Yolanda Bitzel September 20, 2020 @ 4:04 pm Reply

    This is how my grandma always made her coleslaw. I used to think that KFC stole her recipe. 😁😁

  6. Sally Montgomery September 10, 2019 @ 10:32 pm Reply

    I served this for my family over the weekend and everyone enjoyed it more than the main course! We had no leftovers, thanks for the great recipe!

KFC Coleslaw Recipe - BEST Copycat (2024)

FAQs

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

What happened to KFC Coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing.

Who makes the best coleslaw? ›

With its nice, thick dressing, Walmart's deli coleslaw is the best creamy coleslaw of the bunch. The dressing is heavy on the mayo, which makes it the best coleslaw to slather on a burger or pulled pork sandwich, and the copious amounts of shredded carrot will contribute some crunch, too.

What is the coleslaw sauce made of? ›

What Is Coleslaw Dressing Made Of? This creamy, mayo-based dressing uses ingredients you likely have on hand: sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and of course, mayonnaise. The resulting dressing is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and peppery!

Does KFC coleslaw contain horseradish? ›

Does KFC Coleslaw Contain Horseradish? The answer is yes, and no. The original recipe had a touch of horseradish in it, and many people remember that version well. If that flavor is something you're looking for, try about one teaspoon of prepared horseradish in this recipe.

Why is KFC recipe a secret? ›

The recipe is not patented, because patents are published in detail and come with an expiration date, whereas trade secrets can remain the intellectual property of their holders in perpetuity. KFC uses its Original Recipe as a means to differentiate its product from its competitors.

What is the most unhealthy thing at KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

Is coleslaw healthy or unhealthy Why? ›

Improves Gut Health

Coleslaw salad is rich in fiber because of the presence of raw cabbage. The RDA of fiber for an adult is 30g per day. It can become challenging to consume this much amount of fiber per day. However, 120 g portion of cabbage is sufficient to meet 10% of daily fiber needs.

What is the KFC secret menu? ›

The KFC Secret Menu currently includes three items: the Zinger Stacker Twister, the BBQ Bacon and Cheese Twister, and the Kentucky Snack Box, but this menu changes regularly with snacks so exclusive they've never made it to the regular menu.

What did KFC discontinue? ›

What KFC Is Taking Off Its Menu. While the classic 11 herbs and spices recipe and iconic fried chicken buckets are safe, a few fan-favorite items will be lost in the simplification. Those discontinued items include KFC's wings, popcorn chicken, Nashville hot sauce, strawberry lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies.

What is the green stuff at KFC? ›

It's Suspected That The Neon Coleslaw Sold In Canada Was Dyed With Food Coloring. For years, Canada enjoyed a specific style of coleslaw at its KFC restaurants -- a neon-green, creamy side made with pulverized bits of very, very brightly colored cabbage.

Is Aldi's coleslaw good? ›

Aldi Creamy Coleslaw

This coleslaw was really crunchy and all the vegetables had a great bite size for eating and adding to sandwiches. It was really creamy and had a solid plastic lid that clipped shut. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Should cabbage be washed before making coleslaw? ›

Cabbage. The outer layer isn't going to be eaten—the leaves are tougher and undesirable to many—so why wash cabbage? There's a good reason: Worms or other insects could be inside the cabbage, so to be safe, follow these steps for cleaning and washing it.

What is KFC mayo made of? ›

Learn how to make delicious KFC-style mayo at home using Sauce Shop's Original Mayo and Buffalo Hot Sauce. This easy recipe includes lemon juice, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Perfect for your homemade fast food cravings.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

What is KFC sauce made of? ›

It's an obvious knock-off inspired by the Worcestershire and mayo-based sauces made famous by the fried chicken tender chains Zaxby's and Raising Cane's. But KFC's Finger Lickin' Good Sauce is a little different with the addition of pickle juice, mustard, and a little more sugar than the other recipes.

What is Popeyes coleslaw made of? ›

Made with cabbage, red pepper, carrot and onion, this awesome recipe for coleslaw has all of the ingredients you love about traditional coleslaw and is topped with a slightly sweet dressing that sets it apart from many other coleslaw recipes…

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